Shaving a puppy's ears? How old? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BonamassaGirl · 07-16-2006, 06:51 PM

Hi!

I just got Schatzi recently, and although she is adorable as can be, I want to do something to encourage her ears to stand up.... now, I know this has been discussed at great length here on the message board, but I was wondering, at what age is it okay to shave the top 1/3 of their ears? I have to admit, I'm scared as heck to try to do it on my own, but do you think a groomer would take a pup that's only 12 weeks old? She's current on her shots, etc. I don't really know at what age a puppy can start going to the groomer?

Schatzi is really good, I actually was able to trim her ears with hair-cutting scissors and trim around and under her paws while she slept on my lap, but the buzzing of the clippers may be another story!! After I cut the hair around her ears, her ears seemed to perk up a bit more. I am massaging them many times a day but I really think I will have to shave the top and tape them... any advice would be greatly appreciated!

JeanieK · 07-16-2006, 07:27 PM

Ollie's were shaved and taped at about 10 weeks. I think you can do it on your own with someone to help you. Use a Wahl clipper, or even a bikini area or mustache trimmer.

Patti · 07-16-2006, 07:34 PM

I think any age is fine. I took Cali to the groomer I used for my Pom and asked her to shave her ears and cut her nails and she did for 5.00.

Amber_lv · 07-16-2006, 07:38 PM

I did Peeka and Boo's ears at 8 weeks i started with the scissors and if you fold the ear down you can trim all the ear then i used a beard trimmer that doesn't cut skin to shave the rest just go for it!!!!good luck!

feminvstr · 07-16-2006, 08:33 PM

I begin shaving ears @ 4 weeks every week until they go to their new homes. then I recommend ear shaving once a month (sooner if needed) inverted "V" 1/3 down.

Hope this helps

BonamassaGirl · 07-17-2006, 09:09 AM

Thanks everyone for your advice, I'm going to try to shave her ears, I'm a little nervous, though!! Mainly I'm nervous that she'll squirm her head around so much I'll botch it up, but I have to shave 'em if I want to tape 'em!

I will go tonight and get some clippers, some small ones, (and some masking tape!) and give it a go. I'll try hoding her in a towel, and distracting her with some turkey or peanut butter, hopefully it will all work out!

Since I did cut the hair around her ears w/ the scissors, they seem to be more perky, but I'll definitely tape them... thanks!

Do you trim the inside AND outside of the ear? and is it safe to use a beard trimmer around the edges, or should I scissor cut that?

baby03 · 07-17-2006, 10:43 AM

I bought my second female about 4 weeks ago. I had the same problem her ears would not go up. She was 13 weeks and I called my groomer and asked if she could help me out. She told me to bring her in and she would do it quickly. Even though Juicy already had 2 sets of shots I was still worried. When I got there she took her to the back and just did her ears we were out of there in like 5 - 10 minutes. In less than 2 days the ears were up. I was afraid to do it myself. I have known the groomer for over 3 years and I got lucky that she was kind enough to drop what she was doing to help me. If she hadn't offered I would have done it myself. Keep us posted. I believe they will go up once the hair is removed. Good luck.

BonamassaGirl · 07-17-2006, 12:27 PM

Thanks, I'll let you know... I am not familiar with how good any groomers are in my area, my other dog is a Lab, and he just needs a bath once in a while so I do it myself! Part of me is scared to take her to a groomer because I don't really know who is good around here. We have a Petsmart, but after reading YT for a while, I know better NOT to go there!

I will call around and try to get Schatzi in for an ear trimming this week- if they don't go up on their own soon after that, I'll tape them and see what happens.

The only reason I want to do it now is because her ears (to me) show signs of "wanting" to go up- like I said, after I trimmed them w/ the scissors, they are higher up, about half way so I want to encourage them to go up before she gets too old- she is 12 weeks old now, so I know I have some time yet

baby03 · 07-18-2006, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonamassaGirl

Thanks, I'll let you know... I am not familiar with how good any groomers are in my area, my other dog is a Lab, and he just needs a bath once in a while so I do it myself! Part of me is scared to take her to a groomer because I don't really know who is good around here. We have a Petsmart, but after reading YT for a while, I know better NOT to go there!

I will call around and try to get Schatzi in for an ear trimming this week- if they don't go up on their own soon after that, I'll tape them and see what happens.

The only reason I want to do it now is because her ears (to me) show signs of "wanting" to go up- like I said, after I trimmed them w/ the scissors, they are higher up, about half way so I want to encourage them to go up before she gets too old- she is 12 weeks old now, so I know I have some time yet

Exactly!! Thats how Juicy's were. They were already half up so when I described them to the groomer she knew it was the hair. It was really cool seeing how they went up. Its just the hair weighing the tips down. I don't think you are going to have to tape. I really thought I was going to have to, but the shaving was all it needed. Twelve weeks you have time!! Keep us posted!!

TatumsMom · 07-18-2006, 10:18 AM

The breeder showed up how to do it when we picked Tatum up from her. It's easy to do it when the hair is damp. You just smooth it out and trim around the edges. She used scissors when she showed us but I use a little Wahl trimmer to do the edges and then to shave the V in the top. But be really careful if you use a trimmer on the edges. I just hold the ear flat and hold the trimmer at the same angle. I heard a bad story here once about someone catching the ear between the guard teeth of the trimmer. Does that make sense? It was hard to explain.

Oh, and I thought I would have to tape Tatum's ears too but they popped right up. Be patient and keep them trimmed and it should usually happen on it's own!

cekaai · 07-18-2006, 10:36 AM

My Nyx has the floppy ear syndrome too, I want those ears up but my sister finds the floopy ears way cuter than the ears up. Shes almost four months old so we need to make a decision on whether she will be a floppy eared york. I will admit it's very cute when they're running and those ears are flapping about.

Amber_lv · 07-18-2006, 10:42 AM

well peeka and boo are 9 weeks and peeka's ears are up boo's are almost there but thr very tip just won't pop do you all think they will go the rest of the way?

07-16-2006, 06:51 PM	#1
BonamassaGirl Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cary, IL Posts: 88	Shaving a puppy's ears? How old? Hi! I just got Schatzi recently, and although she is adorable as can be, I want to do something to encourage her ears to stand up.... now, I know this has been discussed at great length here on the message board, but I was wondering, at what age is it okay to shave the top 1/3 of their ears? I have to admit, I'm scared as heck to try to do it on my own, but do you think a groomer would take a pup that's only 12 weeks old? She's current on her shots, etc. I don't really know at what age a puppy can start going to the groomer? Schatzi is really good, I actually was able to trim her ears with hair-cutting scissors and trim around and under her paws while she slept on my lap, but the buzzing of the clippers may be another story!! After I cut the hair around her ears, her ears seemed to perk up a bit more. I am massaging them many times a day but I really think I will have to shave the top and tape them... any advice would be greatly appreciated! __________________ ~APRIL~ Proud mommy of Foster and little Schatzi

07-16-2006, 07:34 PM	#3
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I think any age is fine. I took Cali to the groomer I used for my Pom and asked her to shave her ears and cut her nails and she did for 5.00. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

07-16-2006, 07:38 PM	#4
Amber_lv Peeka Boo I See You! Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Salt Lake Posts: 7,161 Blog Entries: 3	I did Peeka and Boo's ears at 8 weeks i started with the scissors and if you fold the ear down you can trim all the ear then i used a beard trimmer that doesn't cut skin to shave the rest just go for it!!!!good luck! __________________ Peeka-Boo-Daisy-Designs <---Click Here Peeka's MyspaceDaisy's Myspace Peeka's Dogster

07-16-2006, 08:33 PM	#5
feminvstr Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 4,405	I begin shaving ears @ 4 weeks every week until they go to their new homes. then I recommend ear shaving once a month (sooner if needed) inverted "V" 1/3 down. Hope this helps __________________ Kimberly

07-17-2006, 09:09 AM	#6
BonamassaGirl Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cary, IL Posts: 88	Thanks everyone for your advice, I'm going to try to shave her ears, I'm a little nervous, though!! Mainly I'm nervous that she'll squirm her head around so much I'll botch it up, but I have to shave 'em if I want to tape 'em! I will go tonight and get some clippers, some small ones, (and some masking tape!) and give it a go. I'll try hoding her in a towel, and distracting her with some turkey or peanut butter, hopefully it will all work out! Since I did cut the hair around her ears w/ the scissors, they seem to be more perky, but I'll definitely tape them... thanks! Do you trim the inside AND outside of the ear? and is it safe to use a beard trimmer around the edges, or should I scissor cut that? __________________ ~APRIL~ Proud mommy of Foster and little Schatzi

07-16-2006, 07:27 PM	#2
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	Ollie's were shaved and taped at about 10 weeks. I think you can do it on your own with someone to help you. Use a Wahl clipper, or even a bikini area or mustache trimmer.

07-17-2006, 10:43 AM	#7
baby03 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: us Posts: 2,255	I bought my second female about 4 weeks ago. I had the same problem her ears would not go up. She was 13 weeks and I called my groomer and asked if she could help me out. She told me to bring her in and she would do it quickly. Even though Juicy already had 2 sets of shots I was still worried. When I got there she took her to the back and just did her ears we were out of there in like 5 - 10 minutes. In less than 2 days the ears were up. I was afraid to do it myself. I have known the groomer for over 3 years and I got lucky that she was kind enough to drop what she was doing to help me. If she hadn't offered I would have done it myself. Keep us posted. I believe they will go up once the hair is removed. Good luck.

07-17-2006, 12:27 PM	#8
BonamassaGirl Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cary, IL Posts: 88	Thanks, I'll let you know... I am not familiar with how good any groomers are in my area, my other dog is a Lab, and he just needs a bath once in a while so I do it myself! Part of me is scared to take her to a groomer because I don't really know who is good around here. We have a Petsmart, but after reading YT for a while, I know better NOT to go there! I will call around and try to get Schatzi in for an ear trimming this week- if they don't go up on their own soon after that, I'll tape them and see what happens. The only reason I want to do it now is because her ears (to me) show signs of "wanting" to go up- like I said, after I trimmed them w/ the scissors, they are higher up, about half way so I want to encourage them to go up before she gets too old- she is 12 weeks old now, so I know I have some time yet __________________ ~APRIL~ Proud mommy of Foster and little Schatzi

07-18-2006, 10:18 AM	#10
TatumsMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX Posts: 2,799	The breeder showed up how to do it when we picked Tatum up from her. It's easy to do it when the hair is damp. You just smooth it out and trim around the edges. She used scissors when she showed us but I use a little Wahl trimmer to do the edges and then to shave the V in the top. But be really careful if you use a trimmer on the edges. I just hold the ear flat and hold the trimmer at the same angle. I heard a bad story here once about someone catching the ear between the guard teeth of the trimmer. Does that make sense? It was hard to explain. Oh, and I thought I would have to tape Tatum's ears too but they popped right up. Be patient and keep them trimmed and it should usually happen on it's own! __________________ ~ Angie

07-18-2006, 10:36 AM	#11
cekaai Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 163	My Nyx has the floppy ear syndrome too, I want those ears up but my sister finds the floopy ears way cuter than the ears up. Shes almost four months old so we need to make a decision on whether she will be a floppy eared york. I will admit it's very cute when they're running and those ears are flapping about. __________________ Jessica & Nyx

07-18-2006, 10:42 AM	#12
Amber_lv Peeka Boo I See You! Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Salt Lake Posts: 7,161 Blog Entries: 3	well peeka and boo are 9 weeks and peeka's ears are up boo's are almost there but thr very tip just won't pop do you all think they will go the rest of the way? __________________ Peeka-Boo-Daisy-Designs <---Click Here Peeka's MyspaceDaisy's Myspace Peeka's Dogster